Medina family with 5 kids displaced after fire Jan. 2

Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters respond to a fire on Jan. 2 at 3402 Bates Rd.

MEDINA – A Medina family with five children is staying in Rochester after a fire on Jan. 2 damaged their home on Bates Road.

The fire started in a wood stove and spread into the rafters. Many of the family belongings were destroyed from water damage to put out the fire, said Amy Monti, a family friend.

A GoFundMe has been established to help the Meacham family, and volunteers are collecting clothing and supplies for the family. The children are ages 6 to 14.

Heather Meecham, the children’s mother, said on GoFundMe she is grateful the family is able to stay together and her husband is recovering after being treated for first- and second-degree burns.

The family also has four dogs and has been able to find people to take care of the dogs on a temporary basis.

“The outpouring of support from everyone no matter in what way is just amazing,” Meacham wrote on GoFundMe. “Thank you everyone from the very bottom of our hearts!! Next is for us to find a home and get ourselves settled and back to routine. Thank you all again so much! This isn’t over, but at least we’ve taken some baby steps to help ease our hearts and peace of mind. Again we are full of gratitude.”

For more information on the GoFundMe and how to assist the family, click here.